Joel Atkins

Joel Elvin Atkins (d. October 5 1997) was the Senior Pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for 42 years until his death in 1997. He was a church leader and local president of the Winter Haven, Florida chapter of the NAACP[1][2] before becoming the NAACP's statewide leader.[3] He was an organizer on integration and civil rights efforts in the state.

Personal life

Theodosia Sarah Owens Atkins was his wife of 50 years.[4] His longtime friendship with Jack Young led to his involvement in advocating on behalf of James Joseph Richardson.[5]

He died in Miami on Sunday the October 5, 1997, at the age of 75.[6] He left behind his wife and four children.[6]

Activism

Joel Elvin Atkins was president of a local chapter of the NAACP in Winter Haven, Florida He became president of the state chapter and challenged Florida governor Claude Kirk's obstruction and delay attempts of school busing.[3][7] He advocated for social action over confrontations at rallies as the solution to ongoing troubles in 1967.[8] In 1970, he highlighted concerns that for most instances of death by law enforcement officers the victims were black.[9]

He was photographed with Tal Rutledge and Rev. Omega F. Neaman at an NAACP convention.[10]

References
  1. "21 May 1967, 119 – Tampa Bay Times – "The Stubborn Little President"". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  2. "Sarasota Herald Tribune Archives, Jun 11, 1967, p. 60 – "Negroes May Go To Streets In Florida This Summer"". NewspaperArchive.com. 11 June 1967. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  3. McMullenthe, Cary (6 February 2011). "Civil Rights in Polk: Brave Stands Led to Big Changes". The Ledger.
  4. Kelly, Donna (14 February 2011). "Black trailblazers in spotlight Tuesday". News Chief.
  5. Radelet, Michael L.; Bedau, Hugo Adam; Putnam, Constance E. (May 17, 1994). In Spite of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases. UPNE. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-55553-197-3 – via Google Books.
  6. "9 Oct 1997, 38 – The Tampa Tribune – Obituary Joel E. Atkins". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. Sanders, Randy (October 1, 2007). Mighty Peculiar Elections: The New South Gubernatorial Campaigns of 1970 and the Changing Politics of Race. LSU Press. ISBN 978-0-8071-3290-6 – via Google Books.
  8. "Sarasota Herald Tribune Archives, Aug 13, 1967, p. 2". NewspaperArchive.com. 13 August 1967. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  9. "Fort Walton Beach Playground Sunday News Archives, Jan 18, 1970, p. 1". NewspaperArchive.com. 18 January 1970.
  10. "Clearwater civil rights icon Tal Rutledge: 'He wasn't afraid to speak out.'".

Further reading
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